On success: "Much of the success I've had has come from my tenacious curiosity. I'm always trying to figure things out and never stop asking questions. Many times my plans change as new opportunities arise just from 'being in the game.' "

Parker Ganem

Age: 30.

Company: PFG Construction Inc.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: President and owner.

Year founded: 2000.

Business: Construction contracting.

Necessary skills for an entrepreneur: "Delegating. There comes a time when it is impossible to do it all yourself. Recognize this and get a strong, competent support team to help carry the ball."

Nicole Margic-Roehl

Age: 34.

Company: HomeLife LLC.

Location: Gilbert.

Position: President.

Year founded: 2003.

Business: Provides home warranty coverage, home inspections, appraisals and other residential real estate services through several different business units.

Necessary skills for entrepreneurs: "A desire to serve others and focus. As a provider of multiple products and service in the industry, we've found that the products must first complement one another, and then we have to focus on how to drive (down) cost and improve customer service."

Interesting fact: "I grew up with the intention of becoming an architect. I loved to draft homes, so it seemed obvious to me that being an architect would be my career. After working for an architectural firm and having a taste of the architects duties, I soon realized the only part of the architect's job I enjoyed was the drafting."

Business: Re/Max focuses on residential and commercial real estate and land sales. South Downtown Properties does land acquisition and development.

Thoughts on growth: "I gauge my growth by my community contributions. Being able to share my mission and vision for bringing south Phoenix to the economic level of downtown has helped me to create valuable relationships Valley-wide."

Manufacturing

Motivation: "I am motivated by the desire to build what did not exist before. An entrepreneur is like a farmer: You plant many seeds and then spend many hours watering them and removing weeds. Then one day you start to see a hint of a leaf popping out of the soil, and then eventually you develop a beautiful crop that can be harvested and enjoyed."

Interesting fact: "I've never taken a business or marketing class, and I love to surf almost as much as my job."

Michael Romley

Age: 35.

Company: Chef's Planet LLC.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: Co-founder and executive vice president.

Year founded: 2002.

Business: Designs, manufactures and distributes kitchenware products.

Motivation: "I love creating, pioneering, innovating and disrupting the market with new ideas. I also enjoy creating jobs and stability for others in an environment where people enjoy coming to work each day."

Health care and wellness

Mark Aspenson

Age: 27.

Company: Visiting Angels.

Location: Scottsdale.

Position: President and executive director of the Arizona franchise.

Year founded: 2003.

Business: A senior-care service that provides non-medical care within patients' homes. Aspenson oversees three franchise locations in Arizona.

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "In order to be a successful entrepreneur, you must have great passion in whatever you do."

Advice: "I advise that they first get a good education. Second, they must realize that starting a business is never easy. Next, they should create a business plan that contains a vision, mission and solid strategy for attaining the vision and the mission."

Necessary skills for entrepreneurs: "The ability to adapt is very important. Industries change and companies become obsolete. Having the ability to adapt will allow for better success and growth."

Rasheda Worthy

Age: 33.

Company: The FairWorthy Institute LLC.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: Founder and executive director.

Year founded: 2005.

Business: The for-profit organization provides health, research and education programs for other professionals and organizations that serve vulnerable populations.

Motivation: "I have passion for what I do. I love this work. I am excited about community health. I love helping to develop others, whether it be an individual, a family or an entire organization. Each day I come to work and I feel like I am not doing a job."

Retail/services

Allison Bell

Age: 25.

Company: Embrace Today Concepts Inc.

Location: Laveen.

Position: President.

Year founded: 2006.

Business: Bell provides motivational speaking services to schools, faith-based and non-profit organizations. She also teaches workshops on entrepreneurship. The business also sells greeting cards, e-Books and workshop CD-ROMs.

Need skills: "Besides being a control freak, all entrepreneurs need to devote time to civic organizations within the community. By sitting on the board of a non-profit or being a volunteer, you have the opportunity to give back to our community."

Michela Belluso

Age: 33.

Company: Davidson & Belluso.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: Creative director and partner.

Year founded: 2001.

Business: Graphic design and advertising firm.

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "Work for someone else first. The experience and skills you gain will help you start on the right track. Working for yourself doesn't mean working by yourself, either. Surround yourself with talented people you can trust."

Brad Denham

Age: 34.

Company: Arizona Family Florist.

Location: Mesa.

Position: Managing partner.

Year founded: 2004.

Business: Contract florist that fulfills orders for 1-800-Flowers and other services. Also operates two local retail stores.

Thoughts on growth: "I have experienced business growth in many areas, especially my ability to be a better leader. . . . All of my professional growth pales in comparison to the personal growth I have experienced by learning to be a better husband and father. Being a better person and having a harmonious personal life, as well as the love and support of my family, enables me to focus more on the adversities that we deal with professionally."

Sarah Green

Age: 29.

Company: Brass Heart.

Location: Gilbert.

Position: Founder and owner.

Year founded: 2005.

Business: Upscale clothing retailer.

Thoughts on growth: "When we opened our doors in November 2005, I really had no idea what to expect because we were one of the very first high-end retail boutiques to enter that part of the East Valley. I saw a deep need in the market for a specialty clothing store for women to shop at instead of traveling all the way to Scottsdale to get that kind of merchandise, and when I look at our business growth rate, it proved to be a right move."

Max Hansen

Age: 32.

Company: Job Brokers Inc.

Location: Tempe.

Position: CEO and co-founder.

Year founded: 2002.

Business: Full-service employee staffing agency.

Motivation: "The most gratifying part of being an entrepreneur is seeing employees of the company have successful and fulfilling careers where they are able to support their families."

Brian Morris

Age: 32.

Company: We Fix Ugly Pools.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: President and CEO.

Year founded: 2003.

Business: New pool construction and repair services.

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "Being an entrepreneur is not all about money. It is a lifestyle, one that includes stress and sleepless nights, one that will offer you the greatest feeling of satisfaction and the lowest feeling of disappointment. All entrepreneurs need to understand that before they just jump into the life."

David Nevogt

Age: 27.

Company: PurePoint Golf.

Location: Scottsdale.

Position: President and founder.

Year founded: 2002.

Business: Golf instruction services.

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "In the history of mankind, working hard and working smart have led to success. With the advent of the Internet and other advances in technology, that formula has still not changed."

Advice: "Don't have excessive expectations as an entrepreneur. While the rewards can be great, the work to get to the rewards can be equally great. Success can often be hanging on when others would let go. Few people find happiness in one dimension; . . . make sure your life has meaning outside the ledger of your business."

Thomas Gorny

Age: 31.

Company: IPower Inc.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: CEO.

Year founded: 2001.

Business: Provides Web hosting and online services for small and medium-sized businesses.

Motivation: "The process of building, creating value and growth opportunities for customers as well as employees."

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "Entrepreneurs must have a high tolerance for pain when times are tough. When times are tough, apply your work ethic and endure to the end. For a successful entrepreneur, rewards come in many forms."

Kevin Klimas

Age: 33.

Company: Clarifacts Inc.

Location: Phoenix.

Position: President and founder.

Year founded: 2001.

Business: Provides background-screening services for businesses.

Necessary skills for entrepreneurs: "As an entrepreneur, you have to have the ability to sell, because you are always selling something to someone. Whether it is persuading a customer to buy your product or service, convincing a bank to give you a loan or motivating employees to carry out your vision, you have to get people to buy in to you as a person and as a company."

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "Don't stop at 'no.' Don't over-plan. Salesmanship reigns supreme. Believe in your plan and get others to believe it as well. Then go to work in full confidence that you will make your plan a reality."

Jason Mayor

Age: 29.

Company: MTI Tech Solutions.

Location: Chandler.

Position: CEO and founder.

Year founded: 1995.

Business: Provides computer and information technology services.

Necessary skills for entrepreneurs: "There are people in this world that talk about doing things, and then there are the people that just go out and do them. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be able to go out and do it."

Keith Mitnik

Age: 33.

Company: Phoenix Display International Inc.

Location: Tempe.

Position: CEO and owner.

Year founded: 2005.

Business: Provides liquid-crystal display modules.

Motivation: "I want to have control over my work environment and surround myself only with motivated, talented individuals. Also, a smaller, privately held company such as ours allows us to reduce corporate waste and make our focus on customer satisfaction."

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "Learn to say 'no' to clients. At a certain point in your business, you need to determine what types of clients are best for your business and will help you grow. Taking on too many of the wrong types of clients may actually decrease your potential to grow."

Advice for next generation of entrepreneurs: "Never underestimate your competition and fully research your market to learn all you can about your competitors. I think a common misunderstanding about an entrepreneur is that they come up with a new idea that no one has done before."

Motivation: "Initially, my motivation was the financial opportunity, but it's no longer about the money. I feel personally accountable and responsible for ensuring I'm there for my team members and clients that have placed their trust and confidence in me."